Vehicle Door Protection Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for protecting vehicle doors from being damaged by impacts received from the opening of doors of adjacent vehicles. An impact-absorbing shield is suspended from a ceiling of a vehicle shelter. A retractor moves the shield between a deployed position protecting an adjacent vehicle surface from lateral impact damage, and a retracted position out of the way of vehicles entering and exiting the shelter. The retractor is carried by the vehicle shelter ceiling and is configured to move the shield vertically between a retracted position and a deployed position.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a vehicle door protection apparatus for protecting vehicle doors from being damaged by impacts received from the opening of doors of adjacent vehicles.

2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

It is known to use a suspended impact-absorbing pad to protect vehicle doors from being damaged by impacts received from the opening of doors of adjacent vehicles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,903 issued to Strassner, discloses an impact-absorbing pad suspended from a garage ceiling by a first cable and from the top of a garage door by a second cable so that when the garage door is open the pad hangs down next to a vehicle to be protected, and when the garage door is closed the pad is pulled sideways and upward. Also, United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0212148 A1 filed by Lebert, discloses a garment hanger including a hanger bar suspended from a spring-biased window shade style roller by support lines. A return line facilitates upward retraction of the hanger bar.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An apparatus is provided for protecting vehicle doors from being damaged by impacts received from the opening of doors of adjacent vehicles. The apparatus includes an impact-absorbing shield and a suspension including at least one suspender connected to the shield and connectable to a ceiling of a vehicle shelter. A retractor is connected to the suspension and is configured to move the shield between a deployed position protecting an adjacent vehicle surface from lateral impact damage, and a retracted position out of the way of vehicles entering and exiting the shelter. The retractor is carried by the vehicle shelter ceiling, is connected to an upper end of the at least one suspender, and is configured to move the shield vertically between a retracted position and a deployed position by alternately extending and retracting the at least one suspender.

The retractor may include at least one ceiling-mountable spring-loaded reel connected to an upper end of the at least one suspender and configured to allow an operator to pull the shield downward into a deployed position, unrolling the at least one suspender against the spring bias of the reel. The retractor may further include a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the reel against retraction once the operator has ceased pulling downward on the shield. The locking mechanism may be configured to release in response to a downward tug applied to the shield by an operator, and to draw the shield upward to the retracted position by rolling up the at least one suspender onto the reel The spring-loaded reel may include the locking mechanism. The retractor may include any suitable spring-loaded reel to include a standard window shade-type reel or one or more spring-loaded pulleys such as are available from APG under the trade name Easy Reach™ at the internet address www.geteasyreach.com.

The suspender may include at least two straps connected between the shield and the reel and the reel may include strap guides configured to guide the respective straps as the straps roll-up on the reel during retraction. The strap guides may comprise spools carried at spaced-apart locations along the reel, slots formed in a roller housing, or guide arches supported in positions spaced along and arching over the reel.

The shield may include a shield panel comprising a plurality of pads interlocked to form a single elongated rectangular prism-shaped shield panel. The pads of the shield panel may be separably interlocked and configured such that any number of the pads may be interconnected to form a shield panel of any desired height and length.

The shield may include a shield panel mount that is connected between the suspender and the pads of the shield panel. A lower edge of the shield panel mount may be interlocked with respective upper edges of the pads of the shield panel. The suspender may include a sleeve connected to lower ends of the straps, a rod may be received in and along a length of the sleeve, and the sleeve and rod may be removably received in an elongated top channel formed in a top surface of the shield panel mount. The suspender rod and sleeve may be retained in the top channel of the shield panel mount by fasteners that extend through transverse holes formed through the shield panel mount and corresponding holes formed through the suspender rod and sleeve.

Rebar channels may be formed into and along respective surfaces of the shield panel pads such that the rebar channels are aligned with one another when the shield panel pads are interconnected. A reinforcing bar may be received in the rebar channels to further interconnect and stiffen the interlocked panel pads against longitudinal bending and to prevent the interlocked panel pads from disengaging from one another under impact. The reinforcing bar may have a cross-sectional size and shape complementing those of the rebar channels so that the rebar channels will slidably receive the reinforcing bar.

The apparatus may include a pull-down strap connected at an upper end to the shield and may have sufficient length to hang down within reach of an operator when the shield is in its retracted and stowed position. The inclusion of a pull-down strap allows the shield to be retracted to and stowed in a higher, more “out-of-the-way” position than would otherwise be possible with an operator still being able to reach and deploy the shield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art in connection with the following detailed description and drawings of one or more embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door protection apparatus constructed according to the invention and shown mounted on the ceiling of a garage with a shield of the apparatus shown in a retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle door protection apparatus of FIG. 1 with the shield in an extended or deployed position;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a strap guide comprising a spool carried on a reel of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an alternative strap guide comprising a slotted roller housing;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an alternative strap guide comprising wire guide arches;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional orthogonal exploded view of shield panel mount, suspender sleeve, rod, and shield elements of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional orthogonal assembly view of the shield panel mount, suspender sleeve, rod, and shield of the apparatus; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a shield taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION EMBODIMENT(S)

A vehicle door protection apparatus for protecting vehicle doors from being damaged by impacts received from the opening of doors of adjacent vehicles is generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-7. The apparatus 10 may include an impact-absorbing shield generally shown at 12 and a suspension including at least one suspender 16 connected at a lower end to the shield and connectable at an upper end to a ceiling 18 of a vehicle shelter such as a garage or carport. The apparatus 10 may also include a retractor 20 connected to the at least one suspender 16 and configured to move the shield 12 between a deployed position protecting an adjacent vehicle surface from lateral impact damage, and a retracted position out of the way of vehicles entering and exiting the shelter. The apparatus 10 may also include a retractor 20 that is carried by the vehicle shelter ceiling 18, connected to an upper end of the at least one suspender 16, and configured to move the shield 12 vertically between a retracted position adjacent the vehicle shelter ceiling, and a deployed position spaced below the shelter ceiling, by alternately extending and retracting the at least one suspender 16.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the retractor 20 may include at least one ceiling-mountable spring-loaded reel 22 which may be connected to an upper end of the at least one suspender 16 and configured to allow an operator to pull the shield 12 downward into a deployed position, unrolling the at least one suspender against the spring bias of the reel. The retractor 20 may include a locking mechanism 24 configured to releasably lock the reel 22 against retraction once the operator has ceased pulling downward on the shield 12. This locking mechanism 24 may be configured to release in response to a downward tug applied to the shield 12 by an operator, and draw the shield 12 upward to the retracted position by rolling up the at least one suspender 16 onto the reel 22. The spring-loaded reel 22 may include the locking mechanism 24.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the suspender 16 may include at least two straps 26 connected between the shield 12 and the reel 22. The straps 26 may comprise any suitable flexible material, such as DuPont Mylar®. Alternatively, rather than straps, the suspender 16 may include cables or a single flexible strap or panel.

The reel 22 may include strap guides 28 configured to guide the respective straps 26 as the straps roll-up on the reel during retraction. As shown in FIG. 3, the strap guides 28 may comprise four spools 30 carried at spaced-apart locations along the reel 22. Each spool 30 may include a pair of annular flanges 32 carried in a coaxial, generally parallel orientation relative to one another on the reel 22 and spaced-apart by a distance slightly greater than a width of the straps 26. The four straps 26 may be connected to the reel 22 at locations between the flanges 32 of the respective spools 30. The annular flanges 32 of each spool 30 may be further disposed in respective coaxial orientations relative to a rotational axis of the reel 22 so that the flanges of each spool are positioned to guide the respective straps 26 as the straps roll-up on the reel during retraction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus 10 may alternatively include a roller housing 34 configured to cover the reel 22. The strap guides 28 may comprise four slots formed in the roller housing 34 in positions spaced along a length of the housing to receive the respective straps 26. The four slots may have widths slightly greater than the widths of the respective straps 26 so that the slots will guide the respective straps 26 as the straps roll-up on the reel 22 during retraction.

FIG. 5 shows that the strap guides 28 may comprise four pairs of wire guide arches 36 supported in positions spaced along and arching over the reel 22. At least one end of each guide arch 36 may be fixed to a surface adjacent the reel 22 such as a garage ceiling or a base board carrying the reel. The four straps 26 may be connected to the reel 22 at locations between the guide arches 36 of the respective strap guides 28 so that the guide arches 36 of each strap guide are positioned to guide the respective straps 26 as the straps roll-up on the reel during retraction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shield 12 may include a shield panel 38 comprising a plurality of approximately ½ (⅜ to 1½) inch thick, 6-12 inch long and 6-12 inch tall impact-absorbing foam pads 40 interlocked to form a single elongated ½ (⅜ to 1½) inch thick rectangular prism-shaped shield panel. The foam pads 40 of the shield panel 38 may be separably interlocked and configured such that any number of the foam pads may be interconnected to form a shield panel of any desired height and length to allow for the protection of vehicle panels of differing configurations. The shield panel 38 pads may be of any suitable type similar to, or including interlocking foam padding made for a child's play area floor or of the type made for gymnasium or weight room floors.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the shield 12 may include an approximately 1½-2 inch thick 6-12 inch long and 1-3 inch tall shield panel mount 42 that is horizontally oriented and connected between the suspender 16 and the pads 40 of the shield panel 38. The lower edge of the shield panel mount 42 may be separably interlocked with respective upper edges of the pads of the shield panel 38 such that the shield panel is suspended from along the lower edge of the shield panel mount 42. The shield panel mount 42 may comprise the same type foam as the foam pads 40 of the shield panel 38.

FIGS. 6 and 7 also show that the shield 12 may include an elongated top channel 44 formed along an upper surface of the shield panel mount 42, and the suspender 16 may include a generally horizontally oriented Mylar sleeve 46 which may be connected to, and integrally formed with, lower ends of suspender straps 26 to form a single unitary piece. A rectangular prismatic elongated plastic rod 48 may be received in and along a length of the sleeve 46. The sleeve 46 and rod 48 may be removably received in the elongated top channel of the shield panel mount 42 such that the shield panel mount is suspended from the suspender sleeve and the rod received in the sleeve.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the suspender rod 48 and sleeve 46 may be retained in the top channel 44 of the shield panel mount 42 by fasteners 50 such as plastic rivets, pins, or recessed screws that extend through transverse holes formed through the shield panel mount 42 and corresponding holes formed through the suspender rod and sleeve. Alternatively, the suspender rod 48 and sleeve 46 may be retained either removably or permanently in the top channel of the shield 12 by any suitable means, including via an interference fit. As a further alternative the suspender straps 26 may be adhered directly to the shield 12 via plastic welding, adhesive, or any other suitable means, thus omitting the sleeve 46 and rod 48.

As best shown in FIG. 8, generally horizontally-oriented rebar channels 52 may be formed into and along respective back surfaces of the shield panel pads 40, the “back” surfaces of the pads being the surfaces that face away from a vehicle surface to be protected. The rebar channels 52 may be aligned with one another when the shield panel pads 40 are interconnected, and a reinforcing bar 54 or “rebar” may be received in the rebar channels to further interconnect and stiffen the interlocked panel pads against longitudinal bending, and to prevent the interlocked panel pads 40 from disengaging from one another under impact.

As shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcing bar 54 may have a cross-sectional size and shape complementing those of the rebar channels 52 so that the rebar channels may slidably receive the reinforcing bar. The rebar 54 may have a length sufficient to be received in the rebar channels 52 of all of the shield panel pads 40 at the same time. The rebar 54 preferably comprises plastic but may alternatively or additionally comprise metal, wood, or any other suitable material. Each rebar channel 52 may have an approximately ½ to ¾ inch wide generally trapezoidal cross-section and the reinforcing bar 54 may have a trapezoidal cross-section slightly smaller than that of the rebar channels.

The apparatus 10 may include a pull-down cord or strap 56 connected at an upper end to the shield panel mount 42, the cord or strap 56 having a length sufficient to hang down within reach of an operator when the shield 12 is in its retracted and stowed position. The pull-down strap 56 allows the shield 12 to be retracted to and stowed in a higher, more “out-of-the-way” position than would otherwise be possible with an operator still being able to reach and deploy the shield 12.

When installed, a vehicle door protection apparatus constructed as described above will prevent damage to the side panels of parked vehicles by blocking impacts from objects such as the opening doors of adjacent vehicles. The apparatus' retraction/extension features allow it to protect vehicles of differing heights, and allow the apparatus to be stowed without obstructing access to the protected vehicle. The modular construction of the vehicle door protection apparatus allows customization to protect vehicle panels of differing configurations

This description, rather than describing limitations of an invention, only illustrates embodiments of the invention recited in the claims. The language of this description is therefore exclusively descriptive and is non-limiting. Obviously, it's possible to modify this invention from what the description teaches. Within the scope of the claims, one may practice the invention other than as described above. 

1. A vehicle door protection apparatus for protecting vehicle doors from being damaged by impacts received from the opening of doors of adjacent vehicles, the apparatus comprising: an impact-absorbing shield; a suspension including at least one suspender connected to the shield and connectable to a ceiling of a vehicle shelter; a retractor connected to the suspension and configured to move the shield between a deployed position protecting an adjacent vehicle surface from lateral impact damage, and a retracted position out of the way of vehicles entering and exiting the shelter; and the retractor being carried by the vehicle shelter ceiling, connected to an upper end of the at least one suspender, and configured to move the shield vertically between a retracted position and a deployed position by alternately extending and retracting the at least one suspender.
 2. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the retractor includes: at least one ceiling-mountable spring-loaded reel connected to an upper end of the at least one suspender and configured to allow an operator to pull the shield downward into a deployed position, unrolling the at least one suspender against the spring bias of the reel, the retractor including; and a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the reel against retraction once the operator has ceased pulling downward on the shield, the locking mechanism being configured to release in response to a downward tug applied to the shield by an operator and draw the shield upward to the retracted position by rolling up the at least one suspender onto the reel.
 3. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which the spring-loaded reel includes the locking mechanism.
 4. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which the suspender includes at least two straps connected between the shield and the reel.
 5. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which the reel includes strap guides configured to guide the respective straps as the straps roll-up on the reel during retraction.
 6. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which: the strap guides comprise spools carried at spaced-apart locations along the reel, each spool including a pair of annular flanges carried in a coaxial, generally parallel orientation relative to one another on the reel and spaced-apart by a distance slightly greater than a width of the straps; the straps are connected to the reel at locations between the flanges of the respective spools; and the annular flanges of each spool are disposed in respective coaxial orientations relative to a rotational axis of the reel.
 7. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which: the apparatus includes a roller housing configured to cover the reel; and the strap guides comprise slots formed in the roller housing in positions spaced along a length of the housing to receive the respective straps, the slots having widths slightly greater than the widths of the respective straps.
 8. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which: the strap guides comprise pairs of guide arches supported in positions spaced along and arching over the reel; and the straps are connected to the reel at locations between the guide arches of the respective strap guides.
 9. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the shield includes a shield panel comprising a plurality of pads interlocked to form a single elongated rectangular prism-shaped shield panel.
 10. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which the pads of the shield panel are separably interlocked and configured such that any number of the pads may be interconnected to form a shield panel of any desired height and length.
 11. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which the shield includes a shield panel mount that is connected between the suspender and the pads of the shield panel, a lower edge of the shield panel mount being interlocked with respective upper edges of the pads of the shield panel.
 12. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which: the shield includes an elongated top channel formed along an upper surface of the shield panel mount; the suspender includes a sleeve connected to lower ends of the straps; the suspender includes a rod received in and along a length of the sleeve, and the sleeve and rod are removably received in the elongated top channel of the shield panel mount.
 13. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which the suspender rod and sleeve are retained in the top channel of the shield panel mount by fasteners that extend through transverse holes formed through the shield panel mount and corresponding holes formed through the suspender rod and sleeve.
 14. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which: rebar channels are formed into and along respective surfaces of the shield panel pads and are aligned with one another when the shield panel pads are interconnected; and a reinforcing bar is received in the rebar channels.
 15. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 14 in which the reinforcing bar has a cross-sectional size and shape complementing those of the rebar channels.
 16. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 15 in which: each rebar channel has a generally trapezoidal cross-section; and the reinforcing bar has a trapezoidal cross-section slightly smaller than that of the rebar channels.
 17. A vehicle door protection apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the apparatus includes a pull-down strap connected at an upper end to the shield and having a length sufficient to hang down within reach of an operator when the shield is in its retracted and stowed position. 